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FBI offers reward in shooting death of retired Gwinnett deputy at Buford store
01102020 DEPUTY
The Gwinnett County Police Department responded Jan. 8, 2020, to O’Reilly Auto Parts in Buford where an employee had been shot. Photo courtesy Gwinnett County Police Department.

Update Jan. 10: The FBI is offering a reward of $15,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspect involved in a robbery attempt turned homicide in Buford Wednesday evening. 

Felix Cosme, 63, of Dacula, was shot at an O’Reilly Auto Parts store at 2786 Hamilton Mill Road on Jan. 8.

According to a release from the Gwinnett County Police Department, this reward money is separate from the award offered by Atlanta Crime Stoppers.

Tipsters interested in the reward are encouraged to call the FBI at 770-216-3000.

Funeral arrangements for Cosme have also been set. A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020, from 4 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held Sunday,

January 12, 2020, at 3 pm at the Buford Chapel of Crowell Brothers Funeral Homes & Crematory.

Original story: A retired Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office deputy was killed in a robbery attempt turned homicide in Buford Wednesday evening, and the suspect is still at large.

Felix Cosme, 63, of Dacula, was shot at an O’Reilly Auto Parts store at 2786 Hamilton Mill Road on Jan. 8. Officers were called to the store at about 7:45 p.m.

There were two employees working at the time. A female employee was outside helping a customer when she noticed a black man seated in a vehicle in the parking lot, according to the Gwinnett County Police Department. 

Based on the preliminary investigation, the man followed the employee back inside when she was done with the customer. Once they were inside, the suspect asked her to open the cash drawer. 

Cosme, the second employee, walked out from the back of the store. He attempted to pull his weapon when he was shot by the suspect. He died at the scene, according to police. 

The suspect fled the store and was last seen driving toward Interstate 85. 

Police are investigating and pursuing a more specific description of the suspect and his vehicle.

If anyone has any information to share in this case, contact Gwinnett County Police Department detectives at 770-513-5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS or visit www.stopcrimeATL.com. Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment. The case number is 20-002382.

Compiled from Gwinnett County Police Department press release